Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-12-09
ECONOMY IN DRESS.
Problem Easy to Discuss, But Very Diff
hcult to Solve.

| ficult to Solve.
The problem of dressing economical
~ is one that most women have to
solve. Although good dress is not neces-
sarily expensive, yet it takes money to
be wisely economical. Some one says
that lady should choose first the be-
coming. then the good, and last the
fashionable in dress, considering her
age, station and points" 1t is we'll,
from the point of economy, to decide
upon certain style of dress and adj
here to it. When a limited range of
beco ming colors has been fixed upon,
it is much easier to combire the two
old dresses into one and to use up odds
and ends successfully.
A few people affect a permanent
style copied from some old picture;
several good dresses may then last for
years without need of change. But
the greater number of women who
study economy dress in black. which
is cheap, becoming. liked by most gem
tlemen, and sanctioned by these arts $
in inexpensive living-the French. ="
Every one has heard of the English
lady who always dressed in rich black
velvet and antique lace and yet spent
less than her neighbors. She accom-
plished this miracle by having three
velvet dresses of different degrees of
newness. and buying one every five
years. A certain New York lady a.
ways wore black silk. declaring it was
cheaper and more sa isfactory than
any other dress. Old ladies should
cer ainly adopt permanent. subdued
style of dress. Unhealthy dress is al
ways extravagant. Heavy skirts,
tight waists and Louis Quinze boots
bring expensive doctors bills. 1t is
an economy to have a few dresses that
will meet all emergencies; there are
less to be kept in order and made over.
real lady would b. satisfied with a
few things, good of their kind. Hand
some lace, Il fine jewel of cameo, an In
da shawl will last lifetime and be
an economy in the end.
Wash dresses are by no means eco
nomcal unless n laundry is kept in
the house. Black wraps, and bonnets
to go with all ones dresses, save
trouble and expense. One ought not
to save on shoes, gloves and corsets,
as they should always be we'll cut and
in good condition. The beauty of a
gown depends not upon its price, but
on its cut and color; cashmere is one
OF the pretticst as well as one of the
cheapest materials, and comes in the
most beautiful colors. Whether or
not a general style of dress has been
decided upon. the economist will al
ways buy with Judgment. She will
consider what she has and what she
needs, often planning one dress to
answer for several occasions She
will avoid novelties as too noticeable
for her limited and long-enduring
wardrobe, and follow only the gem
eral direction of fashions dictates.
She will understand all the secrets
OF bargains" remnants" and
buying at the end of season
when goods are "reduced." but she
will never buy any thing merely be-
cause it is cheap or becau the
salesman assures her it is just what
she wants. She always ge;s good
materials. knowing they cost less in
the end. and gives preference to those
noted for their durability. as Scotch
cheviots and India silks. She will
prefer French underwear with its deli
cate hand-wrought sewing and en-
broidery to garments loaded with
Hamburg edging and cheap lace, and
she will know that antique laces last
twice rs long and are twice as hand
some as the modern article. b fore
buying color to place near her face.
our prudent woman will test its eff
feet upon her hand and draw her con-
illusions; if a vivid green makes her
hand pale and sallow, it will have a
similar effect upon her face.
VI course the woman who can make
her own clothes saves great deal:
materials are cheap. but making is
not Many ladies make their own
summer dresses, but employ dress
maker for handsome costumes: in this
case it is economy 10 select thorough
" good workwoman. even if some
what expensive, but to see that she
1oes not choose wasteful fashions or
recklessly squander her material. A
we'll cut and made garment wears
onger and is always a satisfaction.
Inc tailor suits of the present day are
wonderfully suitable and economical
or street wear. An old suit for bad
lay saves the better one, and an oil Il
black silk is treasure. 1t is hard to
ell just when dress shou d be made
'ver' experience only can decide.
A thrifty young woman of my ac-
lnaintance never has a dress which
IAN not be washed; her wool dresses
'ome from the WASN'T tub "as
rood as new" Velvet waists and
pretty neck arrangements and hand.
,erchefs freshen up old skirts. The
Al.a..